Thailand junta ends country-wide curfew

Thailand’s military government has fully lifted a curfew it imposed nationwide after seizing power last month, saying there is no threat of violence.

The measure, effective immediately, was announced on all domestic television stations.

The curfew had already been reduced from seven hours to four, and had been lifted in several resort areas popular with tourists after complaints from the tourism industry over the financial damage it was causing.

The curfew had remained in effect in the capital Bangkok because of its political volatility.

Until the May 22 coup, it had been the scene of occasional violence triggered by months of anti-government street demonstrations. Political protests and criticism of the coup have been banned by the junta.